The curse has finally been broken. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the perennial heartbreakers of the Indian Premier League, have lifted their first-ever IPL title in their 18th season — and the raw emotion flooding the Narendra Modi Stadium last night will be remembered for decades to come.
For a team that has lived in the shadows of “almosts” and “nearly theres,” this moment was soaked in tears, joy, relief, and redemption. At the center of it all stood Virat Kohli, a man who has lived and breathed this franchise since the IPL’s inception. As the final wicket fell, Kohli pumped his fist in the air and then quietly stepped aside, letting the roar of the Bengaluru faithful wash over him. Moments later, he wiped tears from his eyes, embracing his wife Anushka Sharma in a scene that brought home just how deeply this moment mattered.
In the stands and on the field, former RCB icons AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle — both donning celebratory smiles, with Gayle even sporting a turban in tribute — joined in the jubilations. Even the usually stoic Andy Flower, known for his icy calm, was seen overwhelmed with emotion. That said it all: this wasn’t just a trophy; this was closure, celebration, and vindication all at once.
“This Is Yours, Bangalore”
“This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team,” Kohli said post-match. “I’ve given this team my youth, my prime, and now my experience. I’ve tried every single year to win this for RCB… and finally, it’s here. What AB has done for this franchise, it’s as much his win as it is ours.”
Having played every IPL season for one team — a loyalty unmatched in modern sport — Kohli’s legacy is now permanently etched in the league’s folklore. From record run-chases to final-over heartbreaks, he’s seen it all. But tonight, the trophy was his to hold.
From Underdogs to Champions
RCB’s journey this season was far from smooth. Critics raised eyebrows at their auction strategy, but behind the scenes, Flower and performance director Mo Bobat had a clear plan. “We knew we had all bases covered,” said veteran keeper Dinesh Karthik. “It was about fire in the belly — and tonight, we had it.”
The final was a textbook display of pressure cricket. Chasing 191, Punjab Kings (PBKS) started aggressively, but once the first wicket fell, Bengaluru applied the squeeze. PBKS struggled to break free. Only Josh Inglis showed signs of resistance, while Shreyas Iyer fell cheaply again. Shashank Singh struck an unbeaten 61 off 30, but 22 of those came when the match was all but over. RCB’s bowlers were disciplined, smart, and relentless.
Kohli’s Golden Run Continues
This victory caps a stunning run of success for Kohli — following triumphs in the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy, adding an elusive IPL title to complete his personal trophy cabinet. A whisper in the crowd even speculated what might’ve been if Jasprit Bumrah had been fit for the Sydney Test — perhaps Kohli would still be chasing another piece of silverware in the WTC Final.
Regardless, his statement summed it up: “My heart is with Bangalore. My soul is with Bangalore. Tonight, I’ll sleep like a baby.”
And so will millions of fans across the country.